Cordyline plant named ‘Jive’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Cordyline  plant named ‘Jive’ that is characterized by a compact habit and linear shaped variegated leaves that are yellow with green margins.

Botanical classification: Cordyline australis.

Variety denomination: ‘Jive’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Cordyline australis and is hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Jive’. The new cultivar was discovered by the inventor in a cultivated area of Kihikihi, Waikato, New Zealand in 2007. The new cultivar was discovered as a single plant in a population of seed grown unidentified Cordyline australis cultivars. ‘Jive’ was discovered in an indoor greenhouse. The exact parent plants are unknown.

The new cultivar was first asexually propagated by tissue culture in Auckland, New Zealand in 2010. Since that time, under careful observation, the unique characteristics of the new cultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Cordyline ‘Jive’ is distinguished from other known varieties of Cordyline, by the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Cordyline ‘Jive’ exhibits a compact habit.     -   2. Cordyline ‘Jive’ exhibits linear shaped leaves     -   3. Cordyline ‘Jive’ exhibits variegated leaves that are yellow         with green margins.

The closest comparison cultivar is Cordyline ‘Abertii’ (not patented). ‘Jive’ is distinguishable from ‘Albertii’ in having a more compact habit and variegated leaves that are yellow in the center with green margins. In comparison, the leaves of ‘Albertii’ are green in the center with yellow margins. The leaves of ‘Jive’ are larger in width than the leaves of ‘Albertii’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photograph illustrates the distinguishing characteristics of the new cultivar ‘Jive’. The photograph shows an overall view of a 3 year old plant. All photographs are taken using conventional photographic techniques and although foliage colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance, they are as accurate as possible by conventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the Cordyline cultivar named ‘Jive’. Data was collected in Kihikihi, Waikato, New Zealand from 3 year old plants. The plants were grown outdoors in 2.5 liter containers under 50 percent shade house cover. The time of year was Summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, without however, any difference in genotype. Color determinations are in accordance with the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growing requirements are similar to the species and no disease problems have been observed.

-   Botanical classification: Cordyline australis ‘Jive’. -   Common name: Cabbage Tree. -   Parentage: The exact parent plants of ‘Jive’ are unknown. -   Type: Ornamental perennial. -   Growth rate: 12 cm. per month. -   Habit: Upright, arching. -   Height: Average 3.0 m. in height. -   Spread: Average 1.0 m. in width. -   Low temperature tolerance: −5 degrees Centigrade. -   High temperature tolerance: 40 degrees Centigrade. -   Propagation method: Tissue Culture. -   Time to produce a rooted liner: 2 months. -   Crop time: 17 months. -   Vigor: Moderate. -   Root system: Fine and fibrous. -   Stem:     -   -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Dimensions.—Average 4.2 cm. in diameter and 6 cm. in length.         -   Color.—199B. -   Foliage:     -   -   Compound or single.—Single.         -   Leaf shape.—Linear.         -   Leaf dimensions.—Average 95 cm. in length and 30 mm. in             width.         -   Leaf apex.—Acute.         -   Leaf base.—Attenuate.         -   Leaf margins.—Entire.         -   Leaf texture.—Upper and lower surfaces: Smooth.         -   Leaf color of young leaves (upper surface).—3D with margins             137B.         -   Leaf color of young leaves (lower surface).—3D with margins             137B.         -   Leaf color of mature leaves (upper surface).—3D with margins             137B.         -   Leaf color of mature leaves (lower surface).—3D with margins             137B.         -   Venation pattern.—Parallel.         -   Petiole.—Absent.         -   Pinching.—No. -   Flower production: No flowers have been produced by ‘Jive’ to date. -   Fruit and seed production: Has not been observed. -   Disease and pest resistance: Has not been observed. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Cordyline plant named ‘Jive’ as described and illustrated. 